All the way to CEO

Company

Having joined this major UK print services company direct from school at the age of 16, and
worked his way up through the ranks, the client was asked to take on the role of CEO. Merryck
was asked to help him through this key transition by providing experience, external perspective
and a clear sense of what was to come.

Challenge

A key breakthrough happened at the initial retreat. The client was extremely animated and
passionate when talking about family and life away from work, but became very serious and
cautious when talking about work. The important inquiry was around how he could bring the same
sense of energy and passion to his work and develop a style of leadership which was authentically
“him” rather than a model he had built up of the “ideal” CEO. Another Merryck Mentor was
introduced to help with the new challenge of dealing with the investor community. Specific work
on presentation skills, and how to be in control without controlling, enabled the client to take the
company on a new course.

Outcome

Despite a difficult market the company built up a substantial cash reserve, drove through
significant productivity improvement measures and established a dominant market position. As a
result the share price doubled over a period of 18 months.